Uncle Junior Properly Sings "O'Canada", Rangers 2, Toronto 6

The opening of tonight's Original Six matchup against The New York Rangers and Toronto Leafs began with Dominic Chianese, the actor who played Junior Soprano, singing both the Canadian and American anthems. "O'Canada" was sung with gusto, strength and determination. "The Star Spangled Banner" felt scrappy & forgetful, more like his character on The Sopranos, and as the crescendo "...and the land of the free...." was approaching, he went for the high note. Like Peter Brady's puberty changing voice, Junior's tone flipped back and forth and he lost it. A shameful rendition. No recovery.

And thus the story of the Rangers tonight losing 6-2 to the Leafs, except they never even attempted the high note. Recap here.

A bad game indeed - the second of the week, tonight being the worst of them. For the first time this season, I can safely say that Henrik Lundqvist was awful. A terrible week for our starless goalkeeper. Tonight he let through four goals of ten Leaf shots and was replaced by Stephen Valiquette to open the third period. Stephen's performance was stellar at first, but our broken defense and non-existent lines were no match for a Toronto onslaught. Two more goals later -- the Garden Numb exited feeling deflated and questioning our supposed rebound from Monday's Carolina hangover.

I know, I know - it's just another game and they'll come out of the slump. The difference between this season versus the previous two seasons is there are no middle ground wins or losses. We only get one of two teams showing up: 1. the really good team or 2. The really bad one. Good hockey brings a satisfaction, a crave to watch more and be present when you have the opportunity to throw your hat on the ice, cheer in a good body check and honor those you choose to follow. I am satisfied with a great game of hockey, win or loss, and an extraordinary fan of my Blueshirts, but come to think of it - I cannot remember experiencing this type of game this season yet. I don't like it one bit, and I will admit I cannot put my finger on it. Bad coaching? Bad leadership? Bad management? Marek Malik? Marcel Hossa? Strudwick? Free agents? A little of all the above?

My fellow Ranger loyalist - Captain Martin - joined me for the game tonight and we both agreed this is a season of unknown. That 'shoe-in' slot for the playoffs is a long way off - and every team in the Atlantic Division is improving steadily, each getting their game together. The Rangers are the equivalent of today's S&P500, no consistency with scary dips and rebounds every week.

The competitive truth is the "best to the worst" in the Atlantic Division is only a two-win difference.

The Rangers are in Atlanta Thrasher Land tomorrow night, so hold your breath, pull a tooth out and place it under your pillow - and make a wish. "Dear Lord (Stanley), please make sure Gomez skates the same speed as his fellow players and that Coach Tom Renney has read The Art of War at least once."

Which team do you think will show up in Atlanta tomorrow night?

tdr

Are We Lost? Rangers 2, Panthers 3 (SO)

The New York Rangers lost in a shootout to The Florida Panthers this evening, 2-3, the Blueshirts gained a point and now close-out with a 13-8-2 record. Chris Drury scored both goals in regulation. Official recap here.

Some thoughts after tonight's performance:

Yes. We are in first place in the Atlantic Division and second in the Conference.

Yes. We have one of the best records in the league for goals-against, and by far, one of the strongest goaltenders around.

Yes. Backup goalkeeper Stephen Valiquette again proved his worth. Second start of the year and showed an incredible performance.

And finally, Yes. Jagr sucks. There....I said it.

Never before have I seen a team that is solely built around one player. Coach Tom Renney continues to allow our Captain to decide the type of play and perhaps our dear coach should consider naming a co-Captain to Jaromir Jagr just to shake things up a bit. Maybe even bench him.

As the first place team, how is it that in the final two minutes of overtime, with Jaromir Jagr leading Chris Drury, Scott Gomez and Brendan Shanahan (four superstars) with a power play advantage 4 on 3, cannot even manage more than a couple of shots? Because JAGR IS LOOKING FOR THE PERFECT PLAY that never came. Do I look fat in these jeans? Why is Avery getting girls like Cuthbert? Should I shoot the puck if there isn't an opening? Something has to change in his play and leadership -- we all thought going into the season, with Jags all healthy and proclaiming the victory ahead, and having lived through his last season recovery - The Dark Ranger imagined. He was going to show up. He was going to lead. He would make us all believe.

Nope.

Instead we've had to rely on 1. one-point wins and a semi-stable defensive system that does not allow any room for error, 2. our goaltending 3. Hartford AHL supplying us with an endless surplus of talent 4. most importantly, faith in our team, not the leaders.

When will this madness end? I'll take the point, I salute Valiquette for keeping us in the game, and I embrace Jagr's pretty-boy-non-leadership and look to him to change his friggin attitude, game and his need for pretty goals.

From now on, make'em dirty!

tdr

The Captain Is Back, Rangers Blank Flyers 2-0

Despite a slightly pulled groin from Saturday night's win against the New Jersey Devils, Captain Jaromir Jagr pulled out the first goal of the evening against the Philadelphia Flyers in the first period. Not only did he score first, he delivered a solid performance as he was continually double covered by pesty Orangecoats, escorted by the team doctor into the locker room after recurring injuries, and surprisingly re-emerged third period back into the lineup to dominate the evening and lead The New York Rangers into their fourth straight win against the Philadelphia Flyers, 2-0.

The Blueshirts are now 7-6-1, second place in the Atlantic Division - one point away from taking the first position in the division. As the diehard meathead in Section 317 said after the game, "They may actually be getting their shit together!!!" A prolific sentiment shared by Rangers fans across the land.

Our "defensive strong", "proficient but low-scoring offense" controlled most of the game from start to finish. The Flyers were massively outshot in the first and second periods, but put the heat back on the Rangers in the third, until Brendan Shanahan locked in the second insurance goal with just over three minutes left in the game. The last goal solidified the win. Martin Biron, goalkeeper of the Flyers, deserves a special honorable mention for preventing a 6-0 loss.

...and again, the true hero of the night. The King. Henrik Lundquist. Simply the best goalkeeper in the NHL.

Tonight will be another test - as a 'win' against the New York Islanders will ensure a first place ranking in the Atlantic Division -- a pleasant distant place from the opening of the season.

Maybe Jagr knew something when he said "be patient, it will happen."

Going for five straight.

tdr

"It's Going To Come, You Gotta Believe" - Jagr (UPDATED)

As Jamomir Jagr was quoted last night after another loss to the New York Rangers, courtesy of the Pittsburgh Penguins. The Rangers are now 2-5-1.

Let us look at the facts.

The Rangers have gone 181 minutes, 9 seconds without scoring an even-strength goal.

The Rangers haven't scored so few goals in their first eight games since they had nine in 1950.

NYR goalkeeper, "The King" Henrik Lundquist was incredible, the little-Rangers (Callahan, Girardi, Prucha) played hard and the veterans played an ineffective perimeter game as to avoid any contact near the opposing net.

This game is not working. Many of us are not prepared to blame any individual player, but it is leaning toward our great Captain Jagr, whose European style finesse game is not working for the once-gritty game play of current Rangers Brendan Shanahan, Scott Gomez and Chris Drury. The system designed around Jagr needs to change. If it doesn't, the coaching needs to change.

Hey Jags, we still believe! Please just don"t wait until December to realize it!

tdr

UPDATE: Blueshirt Bulletin has a post that outlines outrageous stats for our Blueshirts to date. Great reading. Sad realities. Go here.

Embrace The Masters, Dear Captain!

Ranger's Captain Jagr has his lowest total in the first seven games of any of his 17 seasons, going into tomorrow nights first meeting this season against his former teammates, the Pittsburgh Penguins.

With the Blueshirts now 2-4-1, having lost in overtime on Saturday to the Boston Bruins, it is time for our Captain to embrace his past and channel 'The Greats' - begin playing hockey like an All-Star should and begin meeting our expectations.

The Penguins open a three-game homestand looking to build on their first back-to-back wins of the season after defeating the Capitals 2-1 on Saturday. Ryan Whitney's fourth career game-winning goal provided the final margin with 2:01 left in the second period.

Tuesday's game will mark the first career meeting between brothers Jordan Staal, the Penguins' 19-year-old center, and Marc Staal, the Rangers' 20-year-old rookie defenseman. Jordan Staal scored his first goal of season Saturday.

Our supposed $80 million dollar free-agent powerhouses, Chris Drury and Scott Gomez have given us no more than 3 goals and 6 assists in seven games, so we hope to see a little more production on the first two lines tomorrow night as well.

Here goes another one. The Dark Ranger awaits.

tdr

Carnage Tonight at The Garden (UPDATED)

(Pre-game rant)
Tonights rematch against the NY Islanders will again showcase the grudge-holding talents of Ryan Hollweg, Chris Simon, Colton Orr, and perhaps a special goalie-to-goalie brawl between overpaid DiPietro and our very own Ranger Al Montoya.

Hang on to your seats and leave the kids home for this one, because it will be a trip to the old days when Islander hatred at the Garden will be showcased. Some things will never change!This is the last pre-season opportunity for some of the new Rangers prospects to make a starting impression with Coach Renney. Should be a rodeo!

UPDATE: (post-game notes) -
Brendan Shanahan scored twice to lift the New York Rangers to a 5-2 victory over the New York Islanders in a preseason game Friday night that lacked the star power and brawling of their previous matchup.

Many expected characters such as Simon, DiPietro and Montoya did not dress for the game tonight, which is why tonight actually resembled a real hockey game. The Isles came to the Garden with their second stringers while on the Blueshirts end, Jagr is sitting out for injuries (and will potentially be out tomorrow against Philly for the final Rangers pre-season meeting), Sean Avery remains injured and Coach Renney is radically changing up the lines. Henrik Lundquist played the entire game. Brendan Shanahan and Scott Gomez played well together; team chemistry is alive. Expect to see some Jags-Drury line action over the next week or so. (I had to include a picture of Colton Orr - our half-assed, full-heart enforcer - showing some sportsmanlike behavior to an opposing Long Islander)

Tomorrow night the NY Rangers will see their final pre-season opponent - the arch nemesis' bionic Flyers. I expect them to start most of their opening lineup as to put on a good show for the fans. After living through the last dreadful season of last place in the NHL, Flyers GM Paul Holmgren has to do something for the fans pre-season. Oh right, there are the 'all you can eat' hockey seats......brilliance! The Dark Ranger expects nothing of tomorrow night, as we Ranger fans have come to realize that while every team we've played pre-season opened with their starters, while the NY Rangers are experimenting with a catalog of new prospects and first-class veterans.

This does not appear to be the Rangers of old. Six more days. MSG: Rangers vs. Florida.

tdr

PETA Alert! Extermination of Penguins Imminent.

The Dark Ranger & The Blueshirts declare war on our "Enemy Number One" - the Pittsburgh Penguins. An informal poll conducted by this site over the last two weeks, voters showed us who was The NY Rangers #1 threatening opponent in the Atlantic Division this upcoming season. Although the NJ Devils were a close second, Pittsburgh spiked dramatically with only four hours left on the poll last evening:

The Rangers Enemy #1
39% Pittsburgh Penguins
35% NJ Devils
14% NY Islanders
10% Philadelphia Flyers

Let's look at the current team. The Penguins recently signed Sidney Crosby for a long term, added quality veterans on defense and forward and might have got one of the steals of the draft. All in all, it has been a pretty good summer for the Penguins on the heels of a monumental season. Aside from extending Crosby and talented young defenseman Ryan Whitney, the Penguins reeled in veterans Darryl Sydor to bolster the blue line and Peter Sykora to add scoring depth. Meanwhile, Pittsburgh retained several of its key young players (a 20-year-old Evgeni Malkin, 18-year-old Jordan Staal and 22-year-old goalie Marc-Andre Fleury) which helped to transform the culture of the franchise. Additionally, they brought back veteran Mark Recchi and in-demand trade deadline rental Gary Roberts, who is 41 but provides the kind of intangible leadership critical to a young team.

As a Rangers fan, the Penguins were one of the most excruciating teams to watch in the NHL last season because of the combination of their youthful exuberance and incredible skill. I would vote the Penguins as the NHL's "Top Kids Club" franchise. The trend of playing kids has been gaining in popularity the last two years. A big part of that has to do with the salary cap, but it also has to do with the fact that a part of the NHL’s youngest generation, the teenagers and those in their early 20’s, can hold their own in the big leagues.

Even with the Rangers considered one of the top five prospect teams in the entire league and our including top young prospects into the starting lineup (Daniel Girardi & Ryan Callahan) and training camp this fall (Marc Staal & Bobby Sanguinetti), the current Penguins are living proof of the effectiveness of long term prospect development and the loyalties of those programs.

I do agree with the poll that the Penguins are one of the most-balanced teams in the division, or the NHL for that matter, but they still lack both the level of veteran depth and rookies that the Rangers will be carrying into the 2007-2008 season.

Not to contradict the results of the poll, I lean more toward this ranking:
#1. Pittsburgh - biggest threat in the division. No questions about it.
#2. Philadelphia - I am going on the line with this one, but this 'new' team scares me.
#3. NJ Devils - Lucky Lou looks small this year, w/o Gomez and Rafalski - no real improvements.
#4. NY Islanders - hate to say it, it's a cake walk this year. Sorry Teddy.

Although, I might feel differently three months from now.

tdr